Reaping the Earth

You are here

I. While it is clear that the 7-headed Beast of Revelation 13 and 17 has been in existence for centuries, the focus of Revelation is the “hereafter.” What seems apparent is that, from time to time, the “disclosures” must reveal something of the history of the main characters of the end time. Thus, the information on the Dragon, the Beast, and the Other Beast – as well as the Woman clothed with the sun and the “Great Whore” of chapter 17 – gives us a picture of their age-long presence and plotting, but with a specific emphasis on their role during the 42 months just prior to an “end.”

A. A recurring theme in the several disclosures has been a formal heavenly ceremony around the Throne, followed by Angels executing a series of judgments, consummated by a victory celebration in the heavenly Court.

B. The fourth and lengthiest of the disclosures (Revelation 7:9 through 15:5) is similar in overall structure, but contains the historical significance of the beasts and the Woman with child. It begins, as do the others, with a ceremony around the throne, followed by seven angels with trumpets who execute a series of judgments. Other events that appear to take place during the process of the seven trumpet judgments are revealed.

1. The Mighty Angel with the little book proclaims the completion of the mystery of God; the two witnesses are revealed in their power; and the judgment of the dead is announced. The wonder of the Woman and the child is described, obviously connected in time by the 42 months of the witnesses and the 1260 days of the woman’s protection.

2. Two Beasts are revealed who are empowered by and speak for the Dragon with obvious parallels to the information in Daniel’s prophecies as well as in the subsequent fifth disclosure in Revelation 17. Their time of power is also specifically cited as being 42 months – the same time frame as the Woman and the Witnesses.

3. A “new song” is sung by the assembled 144,000 to a “Lamb” standing on Mount Zion which appears to initiate a series of six angelic announcements to the Earth, ending with the reaping of the Earth. That “reaping” ceremony initiates the presentation of the seven angels with the “last plagues” which contain the “wrath of God.” As these seven angels are introduced, another victory celebration is described, led by those who have overcome the Beast, his image, and his mark. They sing the “song of Moses” and the “song of the Lamb” emphasizing the power and holiness of the “King of Saints.”

II. The angelic reaping of the earth is the last event in the 4th Disclosure.

1) This is the eternal prison for the devil (20:10).

2) This is the eternal prison for the unsaved (21:8).

c. They will have “no rest day nor night” (14:11).

1. “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” (14:12)

a. The apostle John identifies: “I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Revelation 1:9

b. The church of Ephesus identifies: “I know thy works…thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.” (Revelation 2:2-3)

c. The church at Thyatira identifies: “I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.” (Revelation 2:19)

d. The church at Philadelphia identifies: “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation…” (Revelation 3:10)

2. Revelation 13:10 – “He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.”

A. The Lord appears in a cloud with a crown and a sharp sickle (14:14).

1. This parallels the Return of Christ with and on clouds.

2. Daniel 7:13 – “…behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”

3. Matthew 24:30 – “And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”

5. This fits the parable in Mark 4: “And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.” (Mark 4:26-29)

b. The treading of the winepress of God’s wrath (14:17-20)

1) This may focus on the destruction of Babylon.

2) The winepress was “trodden without the city” (14:20).

3) The focus of God’s wrath is on the city of Babylon (Revelation 18).

4. The “winepress of the wrath of God” is executed (14:19-20).

a. The winepress treading will crush all evil nations.

b. Jeremiah 25:30 – “Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, The LORD shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth.”

c. The blood from the winepress extends some 200 miles (14:20).

1) The “furlong” is the Greek stadia – approximately 185 meters.

2) Eight stadia = ~ 1 mile

3) 1,600 stadia = ~ 200 miles

4) 200 miles from Babylon reaches almost to the Persian Gulf.

d. Note: Some think that this represents the battle of Armageddon. If so, the blood would cover most all of Israel, a good portion of Syria, Jordan, and Egypt. Either way, this “reaping” is an awful demonstration of God’s wrath against those who dare to rebel against Him.